HEATWAVE: Health leaders in Northamptonshire support Public Health England advice on keeping cool

GPs in Northamptonshire are supporting a heatwave campaign launched by Public Health England, as temperatures continue to rise.

Public Health England’s heatwave campaign aims to protect the population from heat-related harm to health by giving early advice and guidance in preparation for hot spells this summer.

Many of us welcome the summer, but high temperatures can be dangerous to people’s health, particularly the elderly, young children, those with physical or mental health problems, the homeless and people whose skin burns easily in the sun.

The following advice has been issued:

Look after yourself, check on others especially the elderly

Listen to the weather forecast and the news

Plan ahead to avoid the heat

Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks

Dress appropriately for the weather

Slow down and avoid heavy activity

Know how to keep your home cool

Go indoors or outdoors, whichever feels cooler

Cars get hot, avoid closed spaces

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Dr Matthew Davies, Chair of NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is urging people to take care in the heat. “People can fall ill very quickly so it’s vital to take action early and know how to keep yourself and loved ones safe in the hot weather. The Heatwave campaign plans a way we can work together and keep everyone safe in the sun by taking some simple advice.

“The plan aims to work together with local people and organisations like schools, doctors and care homes to share advice and prevent deaths. In the 2003 heatwave, there were 2,000 to 3,000 excess deaths and we want to prevent that happening again.”

For more information visit http://www.nhs.uk/heatwave